Freshman John Truesdell played basketball and ran track in high school, but he knew he couldn't play those sports at the varsity level for Michigan. Last Monday, he tried something new: ultimate Frisbee.

"I heard this sport was fun but also competitive," Truesdell said. "I've realized there is nothing better than laying out to catch a Frisbee."

Ultimate is one of the only sports on campus for which prior experience is absolutely not necessary. In fact, a majority of the players were not even introduced to the sport until college. Most of the them played soccer, basketball or participated cross country in high school.

"They know they couldn't make the Varsity team here in their high school sports, but they still want to stay in shape and get their competitive fix," senior Matt Marcum said.

More than 120 players came to Mitchell Field on Monday night to try out for the club ultimate Frisbee teams. Usually, two teams of two levels of commitment and talent, MagnUM and Tenacious, compete throughout the year. With so much interest this year, a third team is a definite possibility.

MagnUM practices indoors three times a week throughout the winter season and travels every other weekend to tournaments.

The competitor inside an ultimate player is no different from that of a football or soccer player. Learning the rules and techniques of the game together allows the formation of a different kind of camaraderie between teammates as they adjust to a new sport.

Everything from driving to tournaments across the nation to spending Spring Break in Florida creates what players call "an unbreakable bond."

Club president Craig Sanford said MagnUM's ultimate goal for the season is to make it to the quarterfinals or semifinals at nationals.

The team just missed making nationals last year. In the past decade, MagnUM has won four regional titles and finished in the top 10 in the nation eight times.

Though the name of the sport suggests a certain goofiness, these players are very serious about success.

MagnUM is hosting 16 teams here, including teams from Michigan State and Indiana, at Mitchell Field in Ann Arbor during the weekend of Sept. 29-30 for their "Best of the Midwest" tournament.